University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Director's Office.

Ernst William Bertner was born in Colorado City, Texas in 1889 to a German immigrant family. While studying to be a pharmacist at the University of Texas School of Pharmacy, he decided to study medicine instead. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1911. In 1942, the University of Texas Board of Regents appointed Bertner acting director of the newly founded M. D. Anderson Hospital for Cancer Research. From served in the part-time, temporary position until 1946 when Board of Regents named Dr. R. Lee Clark as the first full time director.

Dr. Bertner also served as the first president of the Texas Medical Center. He died of cancer in Houston on July 18, 1950.

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